My first impression was that the passage was a denunciation against “pseudo Christianity” and a call to authentic living (The old saying comes to mind: “Just because you go to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to McDonald’s makes you a Big Mac”).

But as I read and re-read it, it really seems to be simply a defense of God’s Word. God had promised in His Word that the Jews would inherit salvation, yet the fact was obvious that most of the Jews were missing it. It wasn’t that God’s Word hadn’t delivered on its promises, it was a matter of defining to whom God’s promises applied. Being a child of promise was something inward, not external. If you remember back last summer, Paul had alluded to the same thing in chapter 3, verse 29. “But a Jew is one inwardly and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter.” So God’s Word does deliver as long as we correctly define the terms of the promise!

I’m left with a thought and a question and I’m hoping that perhaps some of you readers can help shed some light for me.

The Jews took God’s Word literally in this case when it was meant to be taken figuratively and it seemed God’s Word had failed. I wonder if there are places where we do the same today. What do you think?

If you have any insights, stories, or thoughts about today’s passage, please comment below! Thanks!

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3 Comments

I don’t think that the problem the Jews had was taking God’s word literally instead of figuratively. Their problem was that they did not understand who really was a descendant of Israel and who really was a descendant of Abraham. They were looking at pedigree,while Jesus was looking at faith in Him.

Thanks for yesterday’s comments, Mark. Sometimes it’s hard to move
on to the next passage when I’m still thinking about yesterday! Anyway,
taking God literally is always a problem….the proverbial “to do” list is always a temptation…resulting in acts of self-righteousness…the need
to measure up. And, for some reason, I think of Ephesus in Revelation.
They “did it all” but had left their first love. Praise God for His grace.
For His choosing and calling us. For revealing Himself through His Word to us. Suddenly my “to do” list gets crumpled up and falls to the ground so unneeded and unneccessary. How sad when I choose the traditions/ approval of man over God’s grace.
Diane

On Pastor Bob’s blog, http://www.bobwestfall.com, he points out the wrong assumptions made by the Jews. That adds another dynamic beyond just the figurative/literal contrast doesn’t it. Diane’s comment reminds me of the importance of keeping the “spirit of the law” vs the “letter of the law”. Martha brings another thought to the table: ignorance.

There are so many ways that we can miss God’s truth, being so close, yet so far from it.

God, help us “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15) that we may correctly understand You and Your plan for us! Amen.